IRGC Ready for Rapid, Tough Response to Al Saud: Commander
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said his forces are ready to show rapid and harsh reaction to make Saudi Arabia accountable after the Kingdom’s mismanagement of Hajj claimed the lives of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims.
Speaking on the sidelines of a military meeting on Saturday, the senior commander underlined that the IRGC enjoys “all possible capacities for Iran’s rapid and tough reaction” to Al Saud and for obliging the monarchy to accept responsibility for the terrible disaster.
On September 24, a crush of pilgrims in Mina, near Mecca, killed around 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians.
Major General Jafari said the IRGC is fully prepared to act under orders from Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
Back on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei warned Riyadh that any disrespect for the Iranian Hajj pilgrims or its failure to repatriate the bodies of those killed in the Mina crush will draw Iran’s “severe and tough reaction".
Following the straightforward warning, Saudis began to cooperate with the Iranian officials and have repatriated bodies of some of the victims.
Elsewhere in his comments, the IRGC commander pledged that his forces “will take revenge from the Al Saud for the terrible crime.”
If necessary, the general underscored, the IRGC is firmly and powerfully ready to take any action, in any region and at any time, to protect the dignity of Muslims, particularly to defend the honor of the Iranian people in the face of “oppressive and ignorant rulers of Al Saud.”
Ayatollah Khamenei had announced that Iran has had respect for fraternity in the Islamic world up to now, showing self-restraint and Islamic politeness.
“However,” the Leader had noted, “they (Saudis) should know that the slightest disrespect for tens of thousands of Iranian pilgrims in Mecca and Medina and failing in their duties to transfer the holy bodies (of pilgrims to Iran) will result in Iran’s severe and tough reaction.”
